At a glance

Producer

Château Ausone

Region

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Franc (50%), Merlot (50%)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$600-$1,000

Tasting profile

Closed but showing deep red fruits, graphite, floral notes, and hints of spice.

Evolution: Will develop more complexity with tertiary notes of leather, truffle, and earth over next 10-15 years.

At peak: Expect opulence, silky mouthfeel with layered fruit and mineral nuances at peak.

Structure

Acidity

Moderate to high, providing freshness and aging ability

Tannins

Firm yet polished, typical of top Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Alcohol

Approx. 13-14%

Aging potential

30-50+ years due to balanced tannin-acid structure and quality vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2059

Optimal window

2025 to 2062

Current status

Approaching early maturity; still youthful and evolving

Current condition

Structured tannins and lively acidity indicate good longevity ahead

The 2015 vintage in Saint-Émilion delivered excellent ripeness and balance. Château Ausone’s meticulous terroir expression and blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot provide natural structural elements for extended aging. This allows the wine to evolve gracefully over decades, reaching full complexity at around 15–25 years post-vintage.

Food pairing

Pairs beautifully with game (venison, duck), rich mushroom dishes, well-marbled beef, lamb, and aged cheeses.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To allow the wine to open up and soften firm tannins for full aromatic expression.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Château Ausone uses sustainable viticultural techniques focusing on soil health, manual harvesting, limited chemical inputs, and canopy management to reduce environmental impact.

Château Ausone demonstrates strong commitment to sustainable farming with organically inclined practices that preserve biodiversity and soil integrity. While lacking formal certification, the estate prioritizes reducing chemical use and energy consumption. Packaging is traditional but could improve by adopting lighter bottles. Overall, the wine rates well on sustainability among top Bordeaux estates but has room for further certification and carbon reduction initiatives.